Messages

1

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Steering Lock Malfunction

« on: 01 July 2023, 11:43:26 AM »

Car got to the stage where it would no longer access to turn over let alone start so recovered to the garage.

Turned out the CIM was duff & has been replaced by a "new" one. However, while the garage could add the CIM via Tech II, thereby curing the "steering Lock" problem, they don't have TIS so while it will now turn over, it won't start.

Before I have to ship it to another garage, anyone around the Launceston, Cornwall area have TIS that could help out?

Many thanks,

Terry 

2

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Steering Lock Malfunction

« on: 15 June 2023, 12:04:34 PM »

Thanks for that! They say you should learn something new every day!

I've been down to see Ian, had a long chat, & the car is booked in for next week. ;-)

Speaking to Ian, I also asked about changing the tranmission fluid, as while it works fine, after 169k I think it deserves a rest! Rather than the 3ltr-ish in & out method, he has a machine that will change 10ltr at one go.

Regards,

Terry

3

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Steering Lock Malfunction

« on: 13 June 2023, 01:48:35 PM »

Hi Everyone,

To mis-quote Oscar Wilde, "To have one Steering Lock Malfunction may be regarded as misfortune; to have two looks like carelessness!".

Admittedly these occurred on different cars but equally annoying on both! The first was a faulty Steering Lock & fixed by Chris H in Yelverton before he hung up his spanners.

The current one is on a 2005 2.0t Vector convertible. Bit of history, failed MOT on High Beam switch faulty. Cured by replacing the CIM holder (& transferring the CIM over). Sadly that one then failed as indicators wouldn't work. Onto holder 3, which passed MOT but CIM taken in & out again.
Error first cropped up driving out of the drive, stopped to put the roof down, but error came up & couldn't clear. Put this down to a poor battery so replaced that. The actual Steering Lock does nothing, fortunately it is "stuck" in unlock mode. While I can beat the 'Checking' sequence & start the engine (which runs up to temperature fine & battery taking 14.5/6 volts), being an automatic, I can't get it out of Park once the error has shown up, so driving it anywhere is unrealistic. I've also popped out Fuse 2 (& Fuse 1 on occassion) to clear message but comes back on at next try.

I have a spare ISM to try, awaiting a replacement Steering Lock but what I don't have is access to a Tech 2 to test & change anything.

So if there is anyone with a Tech 2 in the North Cornwall area & willing to help out, I'd be much obliged, along with payment &/or beer tokens for services rendered!   

Any other ideas welcomed too, as I've booked for SaabInt23 & would like to attend in a Saab!   

Many thanks!

Terry

4

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: 18" tyre buying advice

« on: 11 May 2018, 10:31:22 PM »

If you want to check tyre sizes and the difference between them, a good comparison site is

https://tiresize.com/comparison/

American but lets you see the difference at each speed.

Terry

5

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: New ECU & Speed Calibration

« on: 23 April 2018, 10:52:43 PM »

For reference, I did contact Hirsch. Unfortunately their reply was:-

 "The old ECU needs to be programmed back, using the IPRO prior to changing the ECU.
Then the tuning can be reinstalled in the car."

All fine & dandy if you can do that. Mine wasn't playing the game at all so nothing salvaged. :-(

Terry

 
 

6

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / New ECU & Speed Calibration

« on: 17 April 2018, 10:49:14 PM »

Hi All,

This may just be in my head but since I had my ECU replaced (56 plate 1.8t), my speedo seems to be further out of step with actual speed than before. Is that likely or possible?

Had to get the ECU replaced as was throwing up the same error code (P606 or 605?) with increasingly shorter intervals between faults!
Unit was Tech 2'ed, couldn't save my Hirsch settings so just back to the default 150hp. :-(

Thanks Guys!

Terry 

7

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: 2005 Convertible Rear Light Cluster collecting Water

« on: 05 April 2018, 03:13:53 PM »

Taken the light cluster out, only held in by 3 nuts. The unit appears to be a sealed unit, except mine wasn't! In fact most of the "glue" wasn't doing anything at all. I managed to get it apart (I could see no way to get the water out otherwise) but cracked the lens in one spot while applying some gentle pressure.

So I can run a bit of sealant round it and put it back together again EXCEPT.... There is a double skin sandwich on the lens part. The water has ingressed into it and there is no way I can dry that out!

So Fleabay to the rescue, seems to be plentry of Passenger side lights but few Drivers side but I've sourced a replacement.

Terry

8

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / 2005 Convertible Rear Light Cluster collecting Water

« on: 05 April 2018, 09:39:20 AM »

Morning All!

Resurrecting the vert from the winter slumber and opened the boot and a LOAD of water poured out from the right hand side light cluster. If I can find the time I'll try taking it apart today to try to find the leak but does anyone know what the likely cause will be? Can't see any cracked or broken glass/plastic but guessing a rear seal will be involved somewhere!

Many Thanks,

Terry

9

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: 2017 Winter Tyres thread

« on: 11 December 2017, 10:03:35 PM »

First off, I've had no snow!

I'm running Nokian's again for winter (9-3 Estate with Hirsch supplied grin). I had a full set of winters (WRA3's?) but due to a punchure in the sidewall of one, I had to get a new tyre and couldn't get a match so got a pair of Nokian Weatherproof instead. Had these fitted to the front.

As I do a hell of a lot more driving in the wet than in snow and I live in the countryside, lots of single track lanes, I wanted something that was good in the wet but could handle the snow if it came. The Weatherproof's are M+S but also 'A' rated for wet weather use. They fitted the bill perfectly, handy when you find a tractor coming round the corner. I like them so much so that I'm considering going to a full set and using them all year. I'd save space in the garage as well then!

10

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: 9-3 2005 Factory Fitted Options

« on: 27 November 2017, 10:17:29 PM »

Found on UKsaabs, plagerised by me, original thanks to wrighar!

Convenience Plus Pack £1,271.49 £1,271.49 £1,271.49 £1,271.49
Dual electric seats with driver’s 3-position
memory, electric folding mirrors, auto
dimming interior and exterior mirrors,
rain sensor wipers


Business Pack** £1,980 £1,980 £1,980 £1,980 £1,980
DVD Satellite Navigation, 6.5" colour
touchscreen, TMC, voice control,
Bluetooth phone integration system*


Cargo Pack (SportWagon only)
Floor net, side net, grocery bag net,
fold flat passenger seat £255.32 – – –
Floor net, side net, grocery bag net – £178.72 £178.72 £178.72


Executive Pack# – £1,812.77 £1,736.17 £1,812.77
Premium Natural leather sport interior trim,
dual electric seats with driver’s
3-position memory

Works for me, bought the car!

Terry

11

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Upgrading a Vector to Aero spec

« on: 27 November 2017, 02:17:12 PM »

Have looked at something like this myself.

IIRC, and this only applies to Hirsch upgrades, the 150 bhp can be increased to 195bhp (which I have and is great fun!), the more powerful 175bhp can also be increased to 195bhp. So not as wide a grin! Neither can be a straight ECU upgrade to 210bhp (or beyond) without other amendments I'd guess, I've not looked into this.

There were some "half price" offers for older years on the above, like £399 instead of £999 (plus vat?), can't remember but you'd need to check with a Saab Hirsch specialist for what a specific model year can have.

Hope that helps!

Terry

12

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / 9-3 2005 Factory Fitted Options

« on: 25 November 2017, 09:13:32 PM »

Hi Gents,

I'm looking at a 2005 9-3 Vector 2.0t convertible that lists the following on it as Factory Fitted Options & I'm wondering what they are?

Con Pack Plus, Business Pack & Exec Pack.

Any illumination gratefully received!

Thanks

Terry

13

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Steering Lock Malfunction

« on: 21 November 2017, 08:07:30 PM »

Well I finally got it recovered to a Saab Specialist, Chris Hamley's, Yelverton. Took 4 hours and 3 different bus companies to collect it but it's fixed!

After diagnosis, turned out to be a failed Steering Lock!

Cost was under £400 but I had the Air Con worked over too, yay! - works now, just the right time of year! 

Thanks for all the input!

Terry

14

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Steering Lock Malfunction

« on: 11 November 2017, 09:47:18 PM »

I have got the fobs for the other CIM and it's from a right year and right model but until I take mine out and check part numbers, I won't be sure.

As for a paperweight, I've got about 1 1/2 ton of paperweight sat on my drive at the moment! 

Being seduced by ebay now, think I could get another vert instead - or another Aero.....

Terry

15

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Steering Lock Malfunction

« on: 09 November 2017, 03:47:05 PM »

I'm in North Cornwall, even the nearest pub is about 5 miles away.  :-)

Getting the Tech II to the car sounds a sensible option. I have even considered buying a Tech II as a viable option (knocking off Towing & Taxi costs!) given that at least I'll have it to keep afterwards. Only snag is they all seem to be clones so no idea what I'd be getting! Any recommendations?

Hard to justify price of a new CIM against value of the car, already got my hands on a used one, can't be any worse!

Thanks,

Terry